5 Things to Do This Weekend (May 27-29)

Wednesday

May 25, 2011 at 12:01 AMMay 25, 2011 at 4:13 AM

This week’s suggestions include celebrating International Jazz Day, things to do for Memorial Day weekend, "The First Grader" and more.

1. Monday is Memorial Day, and if you don’t have to go to work, then you have a long weekend to relax and enjoy beautiful spring weather while celebrating our veterans. Ride your bike, host a barbecue or soak in the sun. Or plan a last-minute getaway and don’t come back until Monday night.

2. Friday is National Wig Out Day, a day when –– you guessed it –– everyone is encouraged to wear wigs. Invented in 2006, it’s like Halloween, but warmer. You can host a best-wig contest at work, which brings a whole new meaning to casual Friday.

3. Saturday is the anniversary of Amnesty International, created in 1961 by British lawyer Peter Benenson, who helped to free two Portuguese students who had been sentenced to seven years in prison for toasting to freedom of expression. Today, the organization takes on human rights issues all over the world. Visit their website, www.amnesty.org, to read about the latest issues, or sign up and get involved.

4. Saturday is also International Jazz Day, so take some time to listen to the soothing sounds of jazz. AllAboutJazz.com has free jazz downloads as well as jazz reviews, interviews, forums, videos, photos, articles and more.

5. Opening this weekend is “The First Grader,” about an 84-year-old Kenyan tribesman and ex freedom fighter, Kimani Maruge, who decides to enroll in school for the first time. This is not your average Hollywood plot, which may be refreshing.